Emoji to Select How or Where Sound Will Localize to a Listener

ABSTRACT

A method displays an emoji that enables a user to select how or where sound will localize to a listener of the sound associated with the emoji. During an electronic communication between a first user and a second user, the first user selects how or where sound of the emoji will localize to the second user. When the second user receives the emoji, the sound plays to the second user how or where as selected by the first user.

BACKGROUND

Three-dimensional (3D) sound localization offers people a wealth of newtechnological avenues to not merely communicate with each other but alsoto communicate with electronic devices, software programs, andprocesses.

As this technology develops, challenges will arise with regard to howsound localization integrates into the modern era. Example embodimentsoffer solutions to some of these challenges and assist in providingtechnological advancements in methods and apparatus using 3D soundlocalization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a method that enables a user to select how and/or where soundfrom a graphical representation will localize to a listener inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a method that displays a graphical representation to a userthat selects how and/or where sound from the graphical representationwill localize to a listener in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a method to convolve sound into binaural sound when thelistener will hear the sound as binaural sound in accordance with anexample embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4C is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4D is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4E is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4F is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4G is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4H is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4I is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4J is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4K is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4L is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4M is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4N is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4O is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4P is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4Q is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4R is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4S is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4T is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4U is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4V is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4W is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4X is a graphical representation with an indication of binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an example computer system in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 6 is an example of an electronic device in accordance with anexample embodiment.

SUMMARY

One example embodiment is a method or apparatus that includes graphicalrepresentations that plays sound in one or more of stereo sound, monosound, or binaural sound to a listener. A user selects how and/or wheresound of the graphical representation will localize to the listener.

Other example embodiments are discussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Binaural sound or three-dimensional (3D) sound externally localizes awayfrom a head of the listener, unlike stereo or mono sound that localizesinside the head of the listener or localizes to a physical soundspeaker. Thus, when a listener hears binaural sound, a source orlocation of the sound occurs outside the head of the listener eventhough this location may be in empty space or space not occupied with aphysical sound speaker.

Binaural sound has many technical challenges and problems, especiallywhen users exchange or play binaural sound during an electroniccommunication. Example embodiments offer solutions to these challengesand problems.

One problem during an electronic communication is that users do not knowwhether the other user is hearing or will hear the sound as stereosound, mono sound or binaural sound. For example, when a first usertalks to or sends audio messages to a second user, the first user doesnot know whether the second user will hear the sound as stereo, mono, orbinaural. As another example, the first user sends the second user agraphical representation that plays sound upon activation, but the firstuser does not know or cannot control whether the second user hears thesound as stereo, mono, or binaural sound. Further, the first user maydesire or intend that the second user hear the sound in a particularformat (e.g., binaural sound) but has no control over how the soundplays to the second user.

As another problem is that the users do not know where the sound willlocalize with respect to the other person. Even if both users areknowingly exchanging binaural sound, the users would not be aware wherethe binaural sound is externally localizing with respect to thelistener. Consider an example of a telephone call in which the usershear the voice of each other in binaural sound or another electroniccommunication in which the parties exchange graphical representationsthat play binaural sound. Here, the first user talking or communicatingwith the second user would not know where the sound originates to thesecond user. For example, does the second user hear the voice of thefirst user as originating one meter away, two meters away, three metersaway, etc.? Further, where does the sound originate with respect to thehead of the second user? Does the sound originate away from and on aleft side of the head of the second user, on a right side of the head ofthe second user, in front of the head of the second user, etc.? Thefirst user does not know where the second user hears the sound.

Example embodiments solve these problems and others. By way of example,an example embodiment enables one user to select or control how and/orwhere the second user hears sound during an electronic communication.For example, a first user can select how the second user hears the soundas one or more of stereo sound, mono sound, and binaural sound. Thefirst user knows in advance of the second user hearing the sound how thesecond user will hear the sound.

As another example, the first user can select or control where thesecond user hears binaural sound. For instance, the first user selects alocation where the sound will originate to the second user. The firstuser knows in advance of the second user hearing the binaural soundwhere the second user will hear or is hearing the sound.

FIG. 1 is a method that enables a user to select how and/or where soundfrom a graphical representation will localize to a listener inaccordance with an example embodiment.

Block 100 states display, with a display of an electronic device of afirst user, a graphical representation such that the first user selectshow and/or where sound of the graphical representation localizes to asecond user.

During an electronic communication between the first user and the seconduser, each user can control or select how the sound localizes to theother user. In this way, the users can control or select how the otheruser hears the sound (e.g., as one or more of stereo sound, mono sound,and binaural sound).

The users can also control or select where the other user hears soundwhen the sound is binaural sound. This selection includes a location orsound localization point (SLP) where the sound originates to thelistener. For example, the first user can select a distance or how farthe sound originates or emanates away from the head of the second user(the listener). Additionally, the first user can select a location wherethe sound originates or emanates with respect to the head of the seconduser. This location can be a general location to the second user, suchas on a left side of the head, in front of the head, on a right side ofthe head, above the head, behind the head, etc. This location can bemore specific to the second user, such as a specific coordinate locationwith respect to the head of the second user, compass direction withrespect to the second user, a physical object near or proximate to thesecond user, or other locations with respect to the second user.

The location is not required to be with respect to the head of the user.For example, the first user selects an object in a room where the seconduser is located, and the sound originates from this object.

The first user selects how and/or where sound of the graphicalrepresentation localizes to a second user in a variety of differentways. As one example, the graphical representation itself includes anindication or selection. For instance, the first user clicks oractivates a part of the graphical representation to make the selection.As another example, the indication or selection occurs near or proximatethe graphical representation. For instance, the indication or selectionsimultaneously displays with the graphical representation. As anotherexample, the first user provides a command or instruction to theelectronic device to make the selection. For instance, the first userprovides a voice command, hand gesture, body movement, eye movement,head movement, menu selection, mouse click, touchscreen activation, oranother method to make the selection.

By way of example, the graphical representation displays to the userwith an indication as to how or where sound will localize. For instance,graphical representations display with an indication that sound thelistener is hearing or is going to hear will be mono sound or stereosound. This indication can include visual or audio information thatinforms or instructs the user that the sound will localize as one ofmono sound and stereo sound.

Consider an example in which the indication visually informs the user ofhow and/or where the sound will localize using one or more of text,color, brightness, shading, flashing or dimming of light, words,symbols, drawings, characters, photos, images, or other indicia or otherexamples discussed herein. For instance, the indication includes theword “stereo” or “mono” or “3D” or a symbol that the user recognizes orassociates with stereo, mono, or binaural sound.

In an example embodiment, the indication forms part of the graphicalrepresentation. For example, the indication is inside, on, or touchingthe graphical representation. Alternatively, the indication is separateor away from the graphical representation. For example, the indicationsimultaneously displays as a symbol or word separated from the graphicalrepresentation.

Consider an example in which the user speaks one of the words “stereo”or “mono” or “3D” to indicate the selection of how sound is provided tothe listener. A natural language user interface receives the selection,and the electronic device transmits the sound to the second user asselected by the first user. Consider an example in which locationsaround the graphical representations correspond to locations around thehead of the second user. When the first user selects one of theselocations, the sound localizes to the second user at the selectedlocation. For instance, when the first user selects a location to aright side of the graphical representation, the sound is convolved withhead-related transfer functions (HRTFs) having coordinates correspondingto a right side of the head of the user. In this way, sound externallylocalizes away from and to a right side of the head of the second user.When the first user selects a location to a left side of the graphicalrepresentation, the sound is convolved with HRTFs having coordinatescorresponding to a left side of the head of the user. In this way, soundexternally localizes away from and to a left side of the head of thesecond user.

Consider an example in which clicking, selecting, or activating thegraphical representation selects stereo, mono, or binaural sound orswitches between these types of sound. For example, when the user clicksthe graphical representation a first time, the sound is provided to thesecond user in binaural sound. When the user clicks the graphicalrepresentation a second time, the sound is provided to the second userin stereo sound. When the user clicks the graphical representation athird time, the sound is provided to the second user in mono sound.

Block 110 states receive, at the electronic device of the first user, aselection from the first user as to how and/or where the sound of thegraphical representation localizes to the second user.

In an example embodiment, the first user interacts with one or more userinterfaces or electronic devices to make the selection. By way ofexample, the electronic device senses, detects, or receives one or moreof a voice command, a hand gesture, body motion, eye movement, headmovement, click, menu selection, touch (e.g., on a touch screen), etc.The user can also make the selection with a wand, electronic pen, orother handheld electronic device.

Consider an example in which the first user makes the selection byproviding an instruction or command to an electronic device, such as ahandheld portable electronic device (HPED), wearable electronic device(WED), headphones, a smartphone, an electronic watch, a television ordisplay, a smart speaker, a server, or another electronic device.

Block 120 states transmit the graphical representation and sound to anelectronic device of the second user.

The graphical representation and the sound transmit to the electronicdevice of the second user or an electronic device in communication withthe electronic device of the second user. For example, the graphicalrepresentation and sound transmit from an electronic device of the firstuser to an electronic device of the second user or from a server incommunication with the electronic device of the second user.

Consider an example in which the first user has a HPED or WED thatincludes a wireless transmitter/receiver that wirelessly transits thegraphical representation and/or sound over one or more wireless networksto a HPED or WED of the second user.

Consider an example in which the first and second users communicate witheach other via electronic devices (such as smartphones) that execute amobile messaging software application. The electronic device of firstuser includes a microphone and camera that records a voice and facialimages of the first user that will be played to the second user. Theelectronic device processes and stores the facial images as athree-dimensional (3D) graphical representation and transmits thegraphical representation and sound over a wireless network (e.g., theinternet or cellular network) to the electronic device of the seconduser.

Block 130 states play, at the electronic device of the second user, thesound to the second user as to how and/or where the first user selected.

The electronic device of the second user plays the sound to the seconduser according to the selection(s), instructions(s) of the first user.In this way, the first user determines how the sound plays to the seconduser (e.g., as mono sound, stereo sound, and/or binaural sound) and/orwhere the sound plays to the second user (e.g., the SLP where the soundoriginates or emanates to the second user).

The electronic device also provides or displays the graphicalrepresentation to the second user. For example, the electronic device ofthe second user displays the graphical representation on, thru, or witha display.

Consider an example in which the sound corresponds to or is associatedwith the graphical representation. When the second user, electronicdevice, or software application activates the graphical representation,the sound plays to the second user according to how and/or where thefirst user previously selected.

Consider an example in which the first and second user communicate witheach via electronic devices. The electronic device of the first userdisplays a graphical representations (e.g., a plurality of differentemoji or animoji) that play voice greetings or voice messages. Forexample, when activated these graphical representations play a recordedvoice that says “Hello” or “How are you?” or “Hahahaha” or anothermessage. The first user selects a graphical representation that includesa red-shaped heart and sound recording that plays “I love you.” Thefirst user selects this recording to play as binaural sound to thesecond user at a SLP having spherical coordinates of (r=1.0 m, θ=30°,ϕ=0°). The first user selects the graphical representation, and inresponse to this selection, the graphical representation of thered-shape heart appears on a display of an electronic device of thesecond user. When the second user selects the red-shaped heart a voicesays “I love you” to the second user. This voice externally localizes tothe second user as binaural sound and originates in empty space awayfrom the head of the second user at the SLP of (r=1.0 m, θ=30°, ϕ=0°)selected by the first user.

Consider an example in which an electronic device of the first userdisplays a 3D emoji. When the first user selects this emoji, microphonesrecord his or her voice message as a voice message that will be playedto the second user. Selection of this emoji automatically designates thevoice message as being in binaural sound. Further, selection of thisemoji automatically applies a SLP where the sound will localize to thesecond user. For example, this location is set as a default location orpreviously set by the first user. The first user sends the 3D emoji tothe second user. When the 3D emoji appears on the display of theelectronic device of the second user, the 3D emoji automatically playsthe voice message in binaural sound to the second user. The voicemessage externally localizes to the default location or previously setlocation (e.g., one meter away from the head of the second user and to aleft side or right side of the face of the second user).

The first user selects or determines how the second user will hear thesound (e.g., whether the second user will hear sound from the graphicalrepresentation as binaural sound or one of mono and stereo sounds) andwhere the second user will hear the binaural sound when binaural soundis provided to the second user (e.g., a location or SLP from where thesound will externally localize to the second user). These selections canbe made through a single selection or multiple selections. For example,the first user individually or separately selects how the sound willlocalize and where the sound will localize. As another example, thefirst user makes a single selection that provides both how the soundwill localize and where the sound will localize. For example, the firstuser selects a SLP in empty space one to two meters away from the headof the second user for where the binaural sound will localize to thesecond user. In this instance, the first user does not have to alsoselect binaural sound since the selected SLP is a binaural soundlocation. Mono and stereo sound cannot externally localizes one to twometers away from the head of the second user unless an electronicspeaker is at this location. For example, mono and stereo sound cannotbe heard thru headphones so the sound externally localizes away from oroutside of the head of the listener.

Consider an example in which a display of a first electronic device ofthe first user displays a graphical representation that includes a firstvisual indication that when selected plays the sound from the graphicalrepresentation to the second user in the binaural sound and thatincludes a second visual indication that when selected plays the soundfrom the graphical representation to the second user in one of the monosound or the stereo sound. The first user is thus able to select betweenproviding the sound to the second user as one or more of stereo sound,mono sound, and binaural sound.

The indication(s) can appear in or as part of the graphicalrepresentation. For example, the indication forms part of the body orappears on or with the graphical representation (e.g., the indication issimultaneously displayed with the graphical representation).Alternatively, the indication(s) can appear removed from the graphicalrepresentation or not with the graphical representation. For example,the first user selects the indications from menu, sidebar, or anotherlocation that is not part of the graphical representation itself.

By way of example, the first user interacts with the electronic deviceand selects one of the indications. For instance, the electronic devicereceives a voice command, senses hand movement or body movement of thefirst user, receives a click or selection on a touchscreen, receives theselection from a mouse or handheld device (e.g., an electronic pen,wand, or handheld controller), etc. Alternatively, the selection occursautomatically. For instance, opening a software program automaticallyselects a certain graphical representation.

The graphical representation and/or sound transmit to or are provided tothe electronic device of the second user. For example, the firstelectronic device transmits the graphical representation and/or sound tothe second electronic device. As another example, a server or anotherelectronic device in communication with the second electronic deviceprovides the graphical representation and/or sound to the secondelectronic device.

The graphical representation can be displayed at the electronic deviceof the second user with or without the indications or selections of thefirst user. For example, the visual indication(s) are removed from thegraphical representation or not displayed with the graphicalrepresentation. As another example, the visual indications are displayedwith the graphical representation. In this way, the second user can seethe selections of the first user (e.g., how the sound will localizeand/or where the sound will localize to the second user).

Consider an example in which the graphical representation shows thefirst user where the sound will localize to the second user. Forinstance, the graphical represents the head of the second user, and thevisual indication shows the SLP with respect to the graphicalrepresentation and hence the head of the second user. In this way, boththe first user and the second user can see where the sound will localizeor is localizing to the second user.

When sound is selected to be binaural sound, then the sound plays andexternally localizes outside the head of the second user. For example,the sound originates or emanates from a SLP that is in empty space(e.g., where no physical or tangible object exists) or in occupiedspace.

Consider an example in which the first electronic device receives orobtains one or more head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) forconvolving sound to the second user. These HRTFs include generic HRTFsor ones customized or individualized to the second user. In this way, aprocessor, such as a digital signal processor (DSP), in the firstelectronic device or in communication with the first electronic device(e.g., a server) processes or convolves the sound before the sound istransmitted and/or provided to the electronic device of the second user.When the second electronic device receives or obtains the sound, thesound is already processed or convolved and ready to play as binauralsound. A processor in the second electronic device is not required toprocess or convolve the sound into binaural sound so the sound canimmediately play to the second user without consuming processingresources of the second electronic device or without requiringprocessing time before being played to the second user.

The visual indication can uses words, symbols, or other indicia toidentify the sound as being binaural sound. For example, the graphicalrepresentation includes a symbol “3D” that signifies three-dimensionalsound or the binaural sound. For example, this symbol is located insidea body of the graphical representation or near or proximate to thegraphical representation being displayed.

In an example embodiment, a location of the visual indication withrespect to the graphical representation shows the users a relativelocation of the where the sound will localize or is localizing to thesecond user. For example, when the graphical representation symbolizesor represents the head of the second user, then the location of thevisual indication with respect to the graphical representation shows arelative location of the SLP with respect to the head of the seconduser. The first and second user can quickly ascertain where the soundwill externally localize with respect to the head or body of the seconduser.

HRTFs can be stored with coordinate locations that correspond to thecoordinate locations on the display. The coordinate location of theindication provides the coordinate location of the HRTF pairs that areretrieved from memory.

Consider an example in which the graphical representation beingdisplayed represents the head of the second user. A first visualindication includes an indication located on a right side of thegraphical representation and a second indication located on a left sideof the graphical representation. These two indications provide the firstuser with two options to select where the sound can localize to thesecond user. If the first user selects the first visual indication onthe right side of the graphical representation, then the sound willexternally localizes as binaural sound to the second user on a rightside of the head of the second user. If the first user selects thesecond visual indication on the left side of the graphicalrepresentation, then the sound will externally localizes as binauralsound to the second user on a left side of the head of the second user.

In this example embodiment, the first user can select between twodifferent locations where the sound will externally localize as binauralsound with respect to the head of the second user. Example embodiments,however, include more locations or less locations (e.g., enabling thefirst user to select between three different locations, four differentlocations, five different locations, etc.).

Furthermore, these visual indications and corresponding SLPs are notlimited to a particular location with respect to the second user. By wayof example, the visual indications and SLPs include, but are not limitedto, in front of and to a left side of the head of the second user, infront of and to a right side of the head of the second user, in front ofthe head of the second user, above the head of the second user, belowthe head of the second user, on a left side of the head of the seconduser, on a right side of the head of the second user, etc.

In an example embodiment, the second use can visually see where thesound will localize with respect to his or her head before the soundactually localizes to the location or while the sound is localizing tothe location. The second user thus sees where the first user selectedthe sound to externally localize as the binaural sound to the seconduser.

The visual indications can also provide how the sound will or islocalizing to the second user. For example, a first visual indication ora first option that when selected provides the sound to the second useras one of stereo sound or mono sound. A second visual indication or asecond option that when selected provides the sound to the second useras the binaural sound. The first use is thus able to control where soundlocalizes to the second user before the second user hears the sound orbefore the sound plays to the second user. For instance, the first userselects between playing the sound to the second user as binaural soundthat externally localizes outside a head of the second user and playingthe sound to the second user as one of stereo sound and mono sound.

Consider an example in which the display of the electronic device showsthree different visual indications or options for where the sound willor is localizing to the second user. These options enable the first userto select where the sound will localize to the second user and include(1) a location with respect to the head of the second user havingazimuth coordinates (0°<θ≤45°) or a location in front of and on a rightside of the head of the second user, (2) a location with respect to thehead of the second user having azimuth coordinates (0°>θ≥−45°) or alocation in front of and on a left side of the head of the second user,and (3) a location inside the head of the second user (e.g., the soundbeing provided as mono sound or stereo sound through headphones of thesecond user).

When the first user makes a selection as to how sound will localizeand/or where sound will location, the electronic device of the seconddisplays this selection or results of this selection. In this way, theelectronic device displays a visual indication informing the second userthat the first user selected playing of the sound to the second user asthe binaural sound that externally localizes outside the head of thesecond user.

Example embodiments include expediting playing or processing of thesound. One embodiment, for example, expedites processing or convolvingof the sound of the graphical representation at the second electronicdevice by convolving, with a digital signal processor (DSP), the soundwith HRTFs to change the sound into the binaural sound beforetransmitting the graphical representation and the sound from the firstelectronic device to the second electronic device and in response toreceiving the selection of the first visual indication at the firstelectronic device. The DSP can be located in the first electronic deviceor a server in communication with the first and/or second electronicdevices. When the electronic device of the second user receives thegraphical representation and/or sound, the sound is already convolvedinto binaural sound as selected by the first user and is ready forimmediate play to the second user. The second user does not have to waitfor a processor to convolve the sound since this convolution alreadyoccurred. The DSP convolves the sound with the HRTFs before one or moreof (1) the sound is provided to the electronic device of the seconduser, (2) the sound is retrieved by the electronic device of the seconduser, (3) the sound is transmitted to the electronic device of thesecond user (e.g. wirelessly transmitted by a server or the firstelectronic device to the second electronic device), (4) the second userrequests the sound to play, and (5) the second user activates thegraphical representation to play the sound.

Example embodiments include saving processing resources of the DSP inthe electronic device of the second user. One embodiment, for example,processes the sound before the sound is transmitted to, provide to, orretrieved by the second electronic device of the second user. In thisway, the DSP in the second electronic device is not required to devoteprocessing resources to convolution of the sound since the sound isalready convolved into binaural sound and ready for immediate play toexternally localize to the selected SLP.

FIG. 2 is a method that displays a graphical representation to a userthat selects how and/or where sound from the graphical representationwill localize to a listener in accordance with an example embodiment.

Block 200 states receive, during an electronic communication between afirst user with a first electronic device and a second user with asecond electronic device and at the second electronic device, agraphical representation that plays sound to the second user.

For example, two or more users talk and/or message each other over oneor more networks, such as the Internet, cellular network, etc. The userstransmit and/or exchange graphical representations to each other duringthe electronic communication. For instance, the first user sends thesecond user the graphical represent, and/or the second user sends thefirst user a graphical representation.

The graphical representation can include or be associated with sound.For example, sound plays to the user when the user, an electronicdevice, or a software program activates the graphical representation orthe sound associated with the graphical representation.

Consider an example in which two users execute a mobile messagingsoftware application. The first user sends the second user an animatedemoji (or animoji) that when activated or executed says “Hello” to thesecond user.

Block 210 makes a determination as to whether the sound will play to thesecond user as binaural sound (BS) or one of mono sound and stereosound. If the answer to this determination is “no” then flow proceeds toblock 220, and if the answer to this determination is “yes” then flowproceeds to block 230.

By way of example, sound can localize to the listener as mono sound orstereo sound when the sound is not convolved and played to the listenerwith headphones, earphones, etc. Mono sound and stereo sound can alsoexternally localize to speakers, such as speakers in a smartphone,stereo speakers in a room, etc. Alternatively, sound externallylocalizes to the listener when the sound is convolved into or capturedas binaural sound or 3D sound. Binaural sound externally localizesoutside or away from the head of the listener and is not required tolocalize to a physical object, such as a speaker. For instance, binauralsound can externally localize one or more meters away from a person at alocation in empty space (e.g., where no speaker exists or no physical ortangible object exists). Binaural sound can also localize to physicalobjects that do not have an electronic speaker, such as localizing to awall or a chair. Sound can also localize as a mix of binaural, mono, andstereo sounds, such as sound commencing as binaural sound thentransitioning to stereo sound to the listener.

The determination of how sound will localize to the listener depends onone or more of several factors. Examples of these factors include, butare not limited to, whether the listener is wearing headphone,earphones, or another electronic device that provides binaural sound,whether the listener is hearing the sound from multiple speakers thatprovide binaural sound (such as two speakers with cross-talkcancellation), whether the sound was or can be convolved withhead-related transfer functions (HRTFs) or other transfer functions orimpulse responses, whether the listener authorized binaural sound toplay to the listener, and whether the listener is located at ageographical location (indoor or outdoor) that allows binaural sound.

For example, if the listener is not wearing headphones, earphones, oranother electronic device that provides binaural sound, then the soundwill localize as mono sound or stereo sound. Alternatively, the listenermay be wearing such an electronic device but this electronic device isoff, muted, or not in communication with the electronic device providingthe sound.

As another example, if the sound is mono sound or stereo sound and notsubsequently convolved with HRTFs or other sound localizationinformation (SLI), then the sound will not externally localize asbinaural sound. For instance, a user receives a graphical representationand sound recorded in mono or stereo sound. The sound is intended toplay to the user as binaural sound, but the electronic device providingthe sound does not have HRTFs of the user in order to convolve the soundinto binaural sound.

As another example, a user receives a graphical representation and soundcaptured or recorded in binaural sound. The user is wearing headphonesand can hear the sound as binaural sound. The electronic device of theuser, however, is set to only play sound as mono or stereo sound. Forinstance, a permission for binaural sound is set to off, or the user hasnot authorized binaural sound to play with the current executingsoftware application.

As another example, a user is at a location that restricts or prohibitsthe use of binaural sound. For instance, the user is located in aschool, library, government building, or airplane that prohibitslisteners from communicating with binaural sound.

Block 220 states display the graphical representation to the second userwith no indication or an indication the sound is provided as mono orstereo sound.

For example, a default setting is sound plays as one of mono sound orstereo sound when the electronic device provides no visual indication.For example, if the user sees no visual indication, then the userassumes that the sound will be stereo sound or mono sound.

The graphical representation can include a visual indication showingthat the sound will play as mono sound or stereo sound. When the usersees this visual indication, the user knows the sound will be stereosound or mono sound.

Consider an example in which words, symbols, or another indicia are usedto visually inform the user that the sound will be stereo or mono sound.For example, one of the following words display to the user: “mono” or“M” or “MS” to indicate mono sound, “stereo” or “S” to indicate stereosound. These indications can be provided with other examples discussedherein.

Block 230 states display the graphical representation to the second userwith (1) an indication as to how sound will localize and/or (2) anindication where the sound will externally localize as binaural sound tothe second user.

By way of example, the graphical representation displays to the userwith an indication as to how or where sound will localize. For instance,graphical representations display with an indication that sound thelistener is hearing or is going to hear will be one of mono sound,stereo sound, and binaural sound. This indication can include visual oraudio information that informs or instructs the user where the soundwill localize with respect to the head or body of the second user orwith respect to another location.

Consider an example in which these indications visually inform the userusing one or more of text, color, brightness, shading, flashing ordimming of light, words, symbols, drawings, characters, photos, images,or other indicia or other examples discussed herein. For instance, theindication includes the word “stereo” or “mono” a symbol that the userrecognizes or associates with stereo sound or mono sound.

In another example embodiment, the graphical representation displays tothe user with no indication as to how or where sound will localize. Forinstance, graphical representations display with a default understandingthat sounds will be provided as mono sound, stereo sound, or binauralsound. In this instance, an additional indication is not required sincethe listener knows that unless otherwise instructed or informed, thesound associated with the graphical representation will play as monosound, stereo sound, or binaural sound.

Consider the example in which the first user sends the second user thegraphical representation shaped as the word “WOW.” While the second userwears wireless earphones, a symbol of “3D” displays immediately belowthe word “WOW” so the second user visually knows the sound will be in3D. When the second user removes his or her earphones, the symbol of“3D” immediately disappears from the display since the sound can nolonger externally localize to the second user as binaural sound withoutthe earphones. When the second user reconnects or puts the earphonesback on, the symbol of “3D” immediately reappears back onto the display.

Consider an example during an electronic communication in which a firstuser sends a second user a talking 3D animated, moving emoji that says“How are you?”. This emoji appears on the display of the smartphone ofthe second user and flashes which indicates to the second user that theemoji has a sound clip or voice message waiting to be heard. The letters“3D” also flash with the emoji and indicate that the sound is availableas 3D sound. The second user dons headphones, activates the emoji, andhears the recorded audio saying “How are you?” that externally localizesas binaural sound in empty space that is one meter away from the head ofthe second user.

Consider an example in which one or more electronic devices alter,change, update, or provide an appearance of a graphical representationbased on how the sound is or will be provided to the listener or how thelistener is or will localize the sound. For example, two or more userexchange or transmit graphical representations to electronic devices ofeach other. These graphical representations play sound to the users.

In this example, a first electronic device of a first user transmits thegraphical representation and/or the sound to a second electronic deviceof the second user. The first and second electronic devices have, forexample, wireless transmitter/receivers that enable them to wirelesstransmit the graphical representations and/or sound.

The second electronic device determines whether the sound can beprovided to the second user as binaural sound. For example, the secondelectronic device determines one or more of (1) whether the headphonesor earphones are powered on, (2) whether the headphones or earphones arein communication with the first electronic device providing thegraphical representation and/or sound, (3) whether the second user iswearing the headphones or earphones, (4) whether the sound is binauralsound (e.g., captured as binaural sound or already convolved intobinaural sound), and (5) whether HRTFs to convolve the sound areavailable (e.g., stored in memory or otherwise retrievable).

When the sound cannot be provided as binaural sound, the secondelectronic device displays the graphical representation with one or moreof no indication of how the sound will localize, with an indication thatthe sound will localize as mono or stereo sound, with an indication thatthe sound will localize to an external physical speaker, or with anindication that the sound will localize inside the head of the seconduser.

When the sound can be or will be provided as binaural sound, the secondelectronic device displays the graphical representation with one or moreof an indication of how the sound will localize, with an indication thatthe sound will localize as binaural sound or 3D sound, or with anindication that the sound will localize outside the head of the seconduser (e.g., to a location in empty space or a location with no speaker).

The second electronic device displays the graphical representationand/or indication to visually inform the second user how the sound isbeing provided or will be provided and/or where the sound will localizeto the second user. This information enables the second user to quicklydetermine if the sound will be heard in a conventional manner (e.g., asmono or stereo) or in an unconventional manner in binaural sound. Inthis way, the second user will not be startled or surprised to hearbinaural sound. Additionally, the second user will be informed to wearheadphones or earphones before listening to the sound accompanying thegraphical representation so the effects of external localization ofbinaural sound are not lost.

As discussed herein, example embodiments include various ways in whichthe graphical representation and/or a visual indication notifies thelistener that the sound will be binaural sound and/or where the soundwill localize to the listener. This information includes one or more ofthe following: (1) adding a symbol “3D” to the display, to the graphicalrepresentation and/or to the indication, (2) adding one or more wordsthat when read by the listener provide the indication that visuallyinforms the listener that the sound will externally localize as thebinaural sound away from the head of the listener, (3) flashing thegraphical representation and/or the indication, (4) changing abrightness of the graphical representation and/or the indication, (5)turning on and off the graphical representation and/or indication, (6)changing a shape or size of the graphical representation and/orindication (7) changing the graphical representation and/or indicationfrom 2D to 3D or from 3D to 2D, and (8) executing other examples arediscussed herein.

The electronic device also removes the indication when the determinationis made that the sound is no longer or can no longer be provided asbinaural sound. For example, the electronic device removes the “3D” (oranother graphical representation and/or indication discussed herein)being displayed in response to determining that the headphones or theearphones of the listener are not connected to the second electronicdevice, not powered on, not connected to the network, not being worn bythe listener, muted or silenced, etc.

FIG. 3 is a method to convolve sound into binaural sound when thelistener will hear the sound as binaural sound in accordance with anexample embodiment.

Block 300 states receives a graphical representation and/or sound toplay to the listener.

For example, an electronic device receives the graphical representationand/or sound during an electronic communication. The electronic devicereceives the sound from memory, from another electronic device, from anetwork, from a server, as streaming audio, etc.

Block 310 makes a determination as to whether the sound will play to thesecond user as binaural sound.

If the answer to the determination in block 310 is “no” then flowproceeds to block 320 that states play the sound to the listener in monosound or stereo sound.

For example, the sound plays through headphones or earphones as monosound or stereo sound. As another example, the sound plays through oneor more speakers in a wearable electronic device (WED) or a handheldportable electronic device (HPED) as mono sound or stereo sound. Forinstance, the sound emanated from a speaker in a smartphone or speakerin a laptop.

If the answer to the determination in block 310 is “yes” then flowproceeds to block 330 that states process or convolve the sound withhead-related transfer functions (HRTFs) so the sound will externallylocalize as binaural sound to the listener.

For example, a processor (such as a DSP) processes or convolves thesound with one or more of head-related transfer functions (HRTFs),head-related impulse responses (HRIRs), room impulse responses (RIRs),room transfer functions (RTFs), binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs),binaural room transfer functions (BRTFS), interaural time delays (ITDs),interaural level differences (ITDs), and a sound impulse response.

One example embodiment processes or convolves the sound with the HRTFsbefore the electronic communication commences or before a point in timewhen the sound is requested for play during the electroniccommunication. For example, process the sound before the graphicalrepresentation is activated. This expedites playing of the sound to thelistener since the listener does not have to wait while a processorprocesses or convolves the sound into binaural sound. Furthermore, theprocessor (such as the DSP) can be devoted to other tasks instead ofconvolving the sound into binaural sound.

Another example embodiment processes or convolves the sound during theelectronic communication or at a point in time when the sound isrequested for play in the electronic communication. For example, the DSPconvolves the sound when the graphical representation activates.

Sound includes, but is not limited to, one or more of stereo sound, monosound, binaural sound, computer-generated sound, sound captured withmicrophones, and other sound. Furthermore, sound includes differenttypes including, but not limited to, music, background sound orbackground noise, human voice, computer-generated voice, and othernaturally occurring or computer-generated sound.

When the sound is recorded or generated in mono sound or stereo sound,convolution changes the sound to binaural sound. For example, one ormore microphones record a human person speaking in mono sound or stereosound, and a processor processes this sound with filters to change thesound into binaural sound.

The processor or sound hardware processing or convolving the sound canbe located in one or more electronic devices or computers including, butnot limited to, headphones, smartphones, tablet computers, electronicspeakers, head mounted displays (HMDs), optical head mounted displays(OHMDs), electronic glasses (e.g., glasses that provide augmentedreality (AR)), servers, portable electronic devices (PEDs), handheldportable electronic devices (HPEDs), wearable electronic devices (WEDs),and other portable and non-portable electronic devices. These electronicdevices can also be used to execute example embodiments.

In one example embodiment, the DSP is located in the electronic deviceof the second user. In other example embodiments, the DSP is located inother electronic devices, such as a server or in the first electronicdevice of the first user.

The DSP processes or convolves stereo sound or mono sound with a processknown as binaural synthesis or binaural processing to provide the soundwith sound localization cues (ILD, ITD, and/or HRTFs) so the listenerexternally localizes the sound as binaural sound or 3D sound.

HRTFs can be obtained from actual measurements (e.g., measuring HRIRsand/or BRIRs on a dummy head or human head) or from computationalmodeling. HRTFs can also be general HRTFs (also known as generic HRTFs)or customized HRTFs (also known as individualized HRTFs). CustomizedHRTFs are specific to an anatomy of a particular listener. Each personhas unique sets or pairs of customized HRTFs based on the shape of theears or pinnae, head, and torso.

An example embodiment models the HRTFs with one or more filters, such asa digital filter, a finite impulse response (FIR) filter, an infiniteimpulse response (IIR) filter, etc. Further, an ITD can be modeled as aseparate delay line.

When the binaural sound is not captured (e.g., on a dummy head or humanhead), the captured sound is convolved with sound localizationinformation (SLI). This information includes one or more of HRTFs,HRIRs, BRTFs, BRIRs, ILDs, ITDs, and/or other information discussedherein. By way of example, SLI are retrieved, obtained, or received frommemory, a database, a file, an electronic device (such as a server,cloud-based storage, or another electronic device in the computer systemor in communication with a PED providing the sound to the user throughone or more networks), etc. Instead of being retrieved from memory, thisinformation can also be calculated in real-time.

A central processing unit (CPU), processor (such as a DSP), ormicroprocessor processes and/or convolves the sound with the SLI, suchas a pair of head related transfer functions (HRTFs), ITDs, and/or ILDsso that the sound will localize to a zone, area, or sound localizationpoint (SLP). For example, the sound localizes to a specific point (e.g.,localizing to point (r, θ, ϕ)) or a general location or area (e.g.,localizing to far-field location (8, (I)) or near-field location (θ,ϕ)). As an example, a lookup table that stores a set of HRTF pairsincludes a field/column that specifies the coordinates associated witheach pair, and the coordinates indicate the location for the originationof the sound. These coordinates include a distance (r) or near-field orfar-field designation, an azimuth angle (θ), and/or an elevation angle(ϕ).

The complex and unique shape of the human pinnae transforms sound wavesthrough spectral modifications as the sound waves enter the ear. Thesespectral modifications are a function of the position of the source ofsound with respect to the ears along with the physical shape of thepinnae that together cause a unique set of modifications to the soundcalled head related transfer functions or HRTFs.

A unique pair of HRTFs (one for the left ear and one for the right ear)can be modeled or measured for each position of the source of sound withrespect to a listener as the customized HRTFs.

A HRTF is a function of frequency (f) and three spatial variables, byway of example (r, θ, ϕ) in a spherical coordinate system. Here, r isthe radial distance from a recording point where the sound is recordedor a distance from a listening point where the sound is heard to anorigination or generation point of the sound; θ (theta) is the azimuthangle between a forward-facing user at the recording or listening pointand the direction of the origination or generation point of the soundrelative to the user; and ϕ (phi) is the polar angle, elevation, orelevation angle between a forward-facing user at the recording orlistening point and the direction of the origination or generation pointof the sound relative to the user. By way of example, the value of (r)can be a distance (such as a numeric value) from an origin of sound to arecording point (e.g., when the sound is recorded with microphones) or adistance from a SLP to a head of a listener (e.g., when the sound isgenerated with a computer program or otherwise provided to a listener).

When the distance (r) is greater than or equal to about one meter (1 m)as measured from the capture point (e.g., the head of the person) to theorigination point of a sound, the sound attenuates inversely with thedistance. One meter or thereabout defines a practical boundary betweennear-field and far-field distances and corresponding HRTFs. A“near-field” distance is one measured at about one meter or less;whereas a “far-field” distance is one measured at about one meter ormore. Example embodiments are implemented with near-field and far-fielddistances.

The coordinates for external sound localization can be calculated orestimated from an interaural time difference (ITD) of the sound betweentwo ears. ITD is related to the azimuth angle according to, for example,the Woodworth model that provides a frequency independent ray tracingmethodology. The coordinates (r, θ, ϕ) for external sound localizationcan also be calculated from a measurement of an orientation of and adistance to the face of the person when a head related impulse response(HRIR) is captured.

The coordinates can also be calculated or extracted from one or moreHRTF data files, for example by parsing known HRTF file formats, and/orHRTF file information. For example, HRTF data is stored as a set ofangles that are provided in a file or header of a file (or in anotherpredetermined or known location of a file or computer readable medium).The data can include one or more of time domain impulse responses (FIRfilter coefficients), filter feedback coefficients, and an ITD value.This information can also be referred to as “a” and “b” coefficients. Byway of example, these coefficients are stored or ordered according tolowest azimuth to highest azimuth for different elevation angles. TheHRTF file can also include other information, such as the sampling rate,the number of elevation angles, the number of HRTFs stored, ITDs, a listof the elevation and azimuth angles, a unique identification for theHRTF pair, and other information. The data can be arranged according toone or more standard or proprietary file formats, such as AES69, andextracted from the file.

The coordinates and other HRTF information are calculated or extractedfrom the HRTF data files. A unique set of HRTF information (including r,θ, ϕ) is determined for each unique HRTF.

The coordinates and other HRTF information are also stored in andretrieved from memory, such as storing the information in a look-uptable. The information is quickly retrieved to enable real-timeprocessing and convolving of sound using HRTFs and hence improvescomputer performance of execution of binaural sound.

The SLP represents a location where a person will perceive an origin ofthe sound. For an external localization, the SLP is away from the person(e.g., the SLP is away from but proximate to the person or away from butnot proximate to the person). The SLP can also be located inside thehead of the person (e.g., when the sound is provided as mono sound orstereo sound). Sound can also switch between externally localizing andinternally localizing, such as appearing to move and pass through a headof a listener.

SLI can also be approximated or interpolated based on known data orknown SLI, such as SLI for other coordinate locations. For example, aSLP is desired to localize at coordinate location (2.0 m, 0°40°), butHRTFs for the location are not known. HRTFs are known for twoneighboring locations, such as known for (2.0 m, 0°, 35°) and (2.0 m,0°, 45°), and the HRTFs for the desired location of (2.0 m, 0°, 40°) areapproximated from the two known locations. These approximated HRTFs areprovided to convolve sound to localize at the desired coordinatelocation (2.0 m, 0°, 40°.

Sound is convolved either directly in the time domain with a finiteimpulse response (FIR) filter or with a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT).For example, an electronic device convolves the sound to one or moreSLPs using a set of HRTFs, HRIRs, BRIRs, or RIRs and provides the personwith binaural sound.

In an example embodiment, convolution involves an audio input signal andone or more impulse responses of a sound originating from variouspositions with respect to the listener. The input signal is a limitedlength audio signal (such as a pre-recorded digital audio file or soundclip) or an ongoing audio signal (such as sound from a microphone orstreaming audio over the Internet from a continuous source). The impulseresponses are a set of HRIRs, BRIRs, RIRs, etc.

Convolution applies one or more FIR filters to the input signals andconvolves the input signals into binaural audio output or binauralstereo tracks. For example, the input signals are convolved intobinaural audio output that is specific or individualized for thelistener based on one or more of the impulse responses to the listener.

The FIR filters are derived binaural impulse responses. Alternatively oradditionally, the FIR filters are obtained from another source, such asgenerated from a computer simulation or estimation, generated from adummy head, retrieved from storage, computed based on known impulseresponses captured from people, etc. Further, convolution of an inputsignal into binaural output can include sound with one or more ofreverberation, single echoes, frequency coloring, and spatialimpression.

Processing of the sound also includes calculating and/or adjusting aninteraural time difference (ITD), an interaural level difference (ILD),and/or other aspects of the sound in order to alter the cues andartificially alter the point of localization. Consider an example inwhich the ITD is calculated for a location (θ, ϕ) with discrete Fouriertransforms (DFTs) calculated for the left and right ears. The ITD islocated at the point for which the function attains its maximum value,known as the argument of the maximum or arg max as follows:

${ITD} = {\arg \; {\max (\tau)}{\sum\limits_{n}{{d_{I,\theta,\varphi}(n)} \cdot {{d_{r,\theta,\varphi}\left( {n + \tau} \right)}.}}}}$

Subsequent sounds are filtered with the left HRTF, right HRTF, and/orITD so that the sound localizes at (r, θ, ϕ). Such sounds includefiltering stereo and monaural sound to localize at (r, θ, ϕ). Forexample, given an input signal as a monaural sound signal s(n), thissound is convolved to appear at (θ, ϕ) when the left ear is presentedwith:

s _(I)(n)=s(n−ITD)·d _(I), θ,ϕ(n);

and the right ear is presented with:

s _(r)(n)=s(n)·d _(r),θ,ϕ(n).

Consider an example in which a dedicated digital signal processor (DSP)executes frequency domain processing to generate real-time convolutionof monophonic sound to binaural sound.

By way of example, a continuous audio input signal x(t) is convolvedwith a linear filter of an impulse response h(t) to generate an outputsignal y(t) as follows:

y(τ) = x(τ) ⋅ h(τ) = ∫₀^(∞)x(τ − t) ⋅ h(t) ⋅ dt.

This reduces to a summation when the impulse response has a given lengthN and the input signal and the impulse response are sampled at t=iDt asfollows:

${y(i)} = {\sum\limits_{j = 0}^{N - 1}\; {{x\left( {i - j} \right)} \cdot {{h(j)}.}}}$

Execution time of convolution further reduces with a Fast FourierTransform

(FFT) algorithm and/or Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) algorithm.

Consider another example of binaural synthesis in which recorded orsynthesized sound is filtered with a binaural impulse response (e.g.,HRIR or BRIR) to generate a binaural output sound to the person. Theinput sound is preprocessed to generate left and right audio streamsthat are mapped to one or more sound sources or sound localizationpoints (known as SLPs). These streams are convolved with a binauralimpulse response for the left ear and the right ear to generate the leftand right binaural output sound signal. The output sound signal isfurther processed depending on a final destination. For example, across-talk cancellation algorithm is applied to the output sound signalwhen it will be provided through loudspeakers or applying artificialbinaural reverberation to provide 3D spatial context to the sound.

Block 340 states play the binaural sound to the listener so the soundexternally localizes outside the head of the listener.

The sound plays to the listener as binaural sound that externallylocalizes away from or outside of the head of the listener. For example,headphones or earphones provide this sound at one or more soundlocalization points (SLPs) discussed herein.

Consider an example in which a listener receives sound to play, such asa recorded voice message, a sound clip, or streaming audio. Theelectronic device receiving the sound makes a determination as towhether the sound can play to the listener as binaural sound. Forexample, the listener can hear binaural sound when the headphones orearphones are powered on, being worn, and receiving the sound. Inresponse to this determination, the electronic device processes orconvolves the sound from mono sound or stereo sound into binaural soundand plays the binaural sound to the listener.

An example embodiment saves processing resources. For example, theelectronic device starts and stops convolution of the sound based on thedetermination of whether the binaural sound can be provided to thelistener. For instance, the electronic device continues to convolve thesound as long as the listener hears the sound as binaural sound. Theelectronic device stops convolving the sound when the listener is nolonger able to hear binaural sound. At this time, the listener may stillbe able to hear the sound as mono sound or stereo sound.

Consider an example in which the listener listens to streaming audiowhile wearing a WED (e.g., headphones, earphones, a head mounteddisplay, or electronic glasses that provide augmented reality (AR)images). During the time that the listener wears the WED, a processorconvolves the sound into binaural sound and plays the binaural sound tothe listener. When the listener removes the WED, the output location ofthe sound switches to one or more speakers that emit the sound into theroom or location of the listener, as opposed to emitting the sounddirectly into the ears of the listener through headphones or earphones.At this time, the listener is no longer able to externally localize thesound as binaural sound since he or she no longer wears the WED. Thesound, however, does not stop or is not interrupted. Instead, the soundcontinues to play to the listener (e.g., a speaker in the WED, a speakerin a smartphone, speakers on the floor of a room, etc.). When thelistener removes the WED, the processor ceases or stops convolving thesound into binaural sound since the listener is no longer able to hearbinaural sound at this time. This process save processing resourcessince, for example, the DSP is no longer required to process sound withHRTFs.

Consider an example in which the listener wears headphones thatcommunicate with a smartphone that provides audio to the headphones.While the listener wears the headphones, the listener hears the audio asbinaural sound. For instance, a DSP in the smartphone processes thesound into binaural sound that plays to the listener. The binauralsound, however, ceases to play to the listener when the listener takesthe headphones off, turns them off, or unplugs or physically orwirelessly disconnects them from the smartphone. At this moment in time,the output of the sound switches from being provided through theheadphones to being provided through one or more speakers in thesmartphone. The audio is not interrupted as the listener continues tohear the sound. In response to this determination, a DSP stopsconvolving the sound into binaural sound since the listener is not ableto hear binaural sound from the small speakers in the smartphone. Inthis way, the sound is not unnecessarily convolved. When the listenercommences to listen to the sound again through the headphones,convolution of the sound resumes. Thus, for example, the action ofconnecting and disconnecting the headphones, causes convolution to startand to stop in response to the connecting and the disconnecting.

Graphical representations include, but are not limited to, emoji,emoticons, animoji, icons, stickers, folders, documents, files, text orwords, pictures, images, and other visible indicia that display on,thru, or with an electronic device. Furthermore, these graphicalrepresentations can be two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D),virtual reality (VR) images, augmented reality (AR) images, static ornon-moving, moving, and other types of images.

The indication enables a user to see that sound associated with orcorresponding to the graphical representation will externally localizeas binaural sound or one of mono sound or stereo sound and/or a locationwhere the sound will localize to the listener. For example, the userknows in advance that the sound will externally localize as binauralsound in empty space one meter away from the head as opposed to hearingthe sound as stereo sound or mono sound that internally localizes insidea head of the user. Before the user actually hears the sound associatedwith the graphical representation, the user knows that the sound isbinaural sound and intended to externally localize outside of the headof the user.

The indication can also inform or instruct the user to wear headphones,earbuds, earphones, or another electronic device that provides binauralsound. Binaural sound cannot accurately localize outside a head of thelistener unless the listener wears such an electronic device. Since thelistener knows in advance that the sound is binaural sound, he or shewill don headphones or earphones before listening to the sound if thelistener is not already wearing such a device.

The indication can be part of the graphical representation itself. Forexample, the indication forms part of the structure or body of thegraphical representation. The indication can also attach to thegraphical representation or touch, supplement, compliment, or completethe graphical representation. Alternatively, the indication is separatefrom or apart from the graphical representation. For example, theindication and the graphical representation are two different and/orseparate objects that are simultaneously displayed to the user.

By way example, the indication is or uses color, light, brightness,shading, or another enhancement or indication to visibly show the userthat sound associated with the graphical representation will be playedin and heard by the listener as binaural sound. Further examples ofindications are shown in FIGS. 4A-4X.

In an example embodiment, a sound file, sound clip, streaming sound, arecording, or other type of sound associates with or corresponds to agraphical representation. Binaural sound plays to the listener when thegraphical representation activates.

In an example embodiment, a user, a listener, a program or softwareapplication, or an electronic device activates the graphicalrepresentation and/or causes the binaural sound to play to the listener.

For example, the listener interacts with a user interface and provides acommand or instruction to play the sound upon receiving the graphicalrepresentation. For instance, the first user performs one or moreactions that include, but are not limited to, clicking or activating anicon, emoji, graphical representation, or other indicia that representsa sound clip, sound file, streaming sound, or recording, selecting thesound from a menu (such as a dropdown menu), selecting the sound from afolder or file (such as a folder or file being displayed to the firstuser), providing a body gesture (such as a hand gesture or hand movementindicating a desire to play the sound), providing head movement or eyemovement (such as the listener moving his or her head in a certaindirection or pattern to indicate selection of the sound), providing avoice command (such as the listener speaking an instruction at a naturallanguage user interface), or taking another action to have the soundplayed to the listener.

As another example, the sound automatically plays. For instance, thesound plays when the listener receives the graphical representation,opens the software program providing the graphical representation, orviews the graphical representation on a display.

As another example, the sound plays when a sender of the sound (e.g.,another user in an electronic communication with the listener) activatesthe sound or designates when the sound plays.

Binaural sound is provided to the listener through one or moreelectronic devices including, but not limited to, one or more ofheadphones, earphones, earbuds, bone conduction devices, or otherelectronic devices with speakers at, in, or near the ears of thelistener. Binaural sound can be processed for crosstalk cancellation andprovided through speakers separate or away from the listener (e.g.,dipole stereo speakers). Electronic devices in communication withheadphones, earphones, and earbuds can provide binaural sound to thelistener (e.g., a smartphone in wireless communication with earphones).

Various types of electronic devices can include or be in communicationwith speakers to provide binaural sound to listeners. Examples of theseelectronic devices include, but are not limited to, wearable electronicglasses, smartphones, head mounted displays (HMDs), optical head mounteddisplays (OHMDs), wearable electronic devices (WEDs), portableelectronic devices (PEDs), handheld portable electronic devices (HPEDs),laptop computers, tablet computers, desktop computers, and otherelectronic devices.

From the point-of-view of the listener, the sound originates or emanatesfrom an object, point, area, or direction. This location for the originof the sound is the sound localization point (SLP). By way of example,the SLP can be an actual point in space (e.g., an empty point in space1-2 meters away from the head of the listener) or a point on or at aphysical or virtual object (e.g., a mouth or head of an augmentedreality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) image). The SLP does not have to beso precise since humans are not always able to localize sound to aparticle point. As such, the SLP can also be a specific or general area(e.g., a location next to and on the right side of the listener) or aspecific or general direction from where the sound originates to thelistener (e.g., a location several meters behind the listener).

When binaural sound is provided to the listener, the listener will hearthe sound as if it originates from the sound source, the source ofsound, or the SLP. The sound, however, does not originate from the soundsource since the sound source or SLP may be an inanimate object with noelectronics or an animate object with no electronics. Alternatively, thesound source or SLP has electronics but does not have the capability togenerate sound (e.g., the sound source has no speakers or sound system).As yet another example, the sound source or SLP has speakers and theability to provide sound but is not providing sound to the listener. Ineach of these examples, the listener perceives the sound to originatefrom the sound source or SLP, but the sound source or SLP does notproduce the sound. Instead, the sound is altered or convolved andprovided to the listener so the sound appears to originate from thesound source or SLP.

In an example embodiment, at least a portion of the sound associatedwith, corresponding to, or provided from the graphical representationexternally localizes away from the head of the listener in empty space(e.g., where no physical or tangible object exists) or occupied space.For example, the sound externally localizes proximate or near thelistener, such as localizing within a few meters of the listener. Forinstance, the SLP where the listener localizes the sound is stationaryor fixed in space (e.g., fixed in space with respect to the user, fixedin space with respect to an object in a room, fixed in space withrespect to an electronic device, fixed in space with respect to anotherobject or person).

Consider an example in which two users message and/or talk to each otherin an electronic communication via a mobile messaging application. AHPED of the first user sends a HPEP of the second user a graphicalrepresentation, here a 3D sound emoji or animoji. This emoji appears onthe display of the HPED of the second user as an animated or cartooncharacter. This character wears headphones that flash or changebrightness. When the second user sees the headphones, he or she knowsthe emoji is informing the second user to wear headphones or earphonesbefore listening to the sound associated with the emoji. The second userdons headphones, and the emoji (here the character) speaks. A voice ofthe emoji externally localizes as binaural sound to the listener at aSLP outside of the head of the second user. Once the user dons theheadphones, the headphones disappear since this indication served itsfunction to inform the user that sound would be binaural sound.

An example embodiment displays the graphical representation with anindication visually informing a listener a location where binaural soundassociated with the graphical representation will externally localize tothe listener.

The indication shows the user the location of the sound source or SLPwhere the binaural sound will originate to the listener. This locationcan be a physical or virtual object, a point, an area, or a direction.Further, the indication can provide the location with a precise orgeneral direction of the SLP and/or a precise or general distance to theSLP.

In an example embodiment, the indication provides a precise, exact, orclearly identifiable location where the sound will originate to thelistener. For example, the indication displays, provides, or points to aSLP that is a precise point or area that the listener can identify orsee. For example, the indication indicates a physical or virtual objectwhere the sound will externally localize. When the listener hears thesound, the sound indeed originates from the physical or virtual objectidentified by the identification.

In an example embodiment, the indication provides a general point,general area, or direction where the sound will originate to thelistener. For example, the indication provides a heading or direction(e.g., North, South, East, West, etc.). As another example, theindication provides general direction or area (e.g., sound willoriginate to your left, to your right, in front of you, over there,behind you, etc.).

The indication can also provide a precise or general distance to thelocation. For example, upon seeing the indication, the listener knowsthe SLP will be one meter away or two meters away. As another example,upon seeing the indication, the listener knows the SLP will be near tothe listener (e.g., within 3 meters) or far from the listener (e.g.,greater than five meters, greater than 10 meters, or farther).Alternatively, the indication identifies whether the SLP will be“near-field” (which is sound that originates from a location that iswithin one meter from a head of the listener) or “far-field” (which issound that originates from a location that is greater than one meterfrom the head of the listener).

As another example, the listener knows the specific direction from wherethe sound originates but not the precise distance to the sound. Asanother example, the listener knows a specific distance but not thelocation. For instance, the listener hears a voice and knows the voiceoriginates about 2 meters behind the left side of the head of thelistener.

By way of example, the SLP can be an actual point in space (e.g., anempty point in space 1-2 meters away from the head of the listener) or apoint on a physical or virtual object (e.g., a mouth or head of anaugmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) image). The SLP does nothave to be so precise since humans are not always able to localize soundto a particle point. As such, the SLP can also be a general area (e.g.,a location next to and on the right side of the listener) or a generaldirection from where the sound originates to the listener (e.g., alocation several meters behind the listener).

In an example embodiment, the listener hears the sound associated withthe graphical representation as binaural sound that externally localizesaway from the head of the listener to the location indicated byindication.

The listener hears the sound at the location that coincides with ormatches with the location provided by the indication. In this way, thelistener knows in advance where the binaural sound will externallylocalize to the listener before the listener hears the sound.

Consider an example in which the graphical representation is an emojithat includes a talking animated animal head or human head. When alistener clicks on or activates the emoji, the head talks and thelistener hears the voice as binaural sound that externally localizesabout one meter away from the listener. The emoji includes an indicationshowing that this voice will externally localize in front of and to theright of the head of the listener. For instance, the voice is convolvedwith head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) having sphericalcoordinates (distance r=1.0 m, elevation ϕ=0°, azimuth θ=30°. Thelistener activates the emoji and hears the voice originate fromspherical coordinates (1.0, 0°, 30°) which coincides with the locationindicated by the indication.

Consider another example in which the graphical representation is anemoji that displays on a HPED of the listener. The emoji appears in thecenter of the display of the HPED, and a flashing dot (or other flashingindicia) appears above and to the left of the emoji. This dot indicatesthe location where the binaural sound will localize with respect to thelistener. In this example, the emoji represents or symbolizes the headof the listener, and the dot represents a relative location where theSLP will be. As shown on the display of the HPED, the SLP (shown as theflashing dot) is in front of and to the left of the emoji. As such, theSLP for the sound that the listener will hear will also occur in frontof and to the left of the head of the listener.

An example embodiment displays the graphical representation that informsa listener to wear headphones or earphones before listening to binauralsound in accordance with an example embodiment. The indication visuallyinforms the listener to wear headphones or earphones so the listenerknows in advance that sound associated with the graphical representationwill externally localize as binaural sound to the listener when thesound plays to the listener. In this way, the effects of externallylocalization are not lost, and the listener is able to enjoy 3D sound asopposed to hearing the sound as stereo sound or mono sound.

By way of example, the indication uses one or more of color, light,shading, brightness, or flashing to inform the listener to wearheadphones or earphones before listening to the sound. As anotherexample, the indication uses words or text to inform the user. Forinstance, the indication includes the words “headphones” or an acronymor symbol (e.g., “HP” or “3D”) to signify the listener should wearheadphones or earphones. As another example, the graphicalrepresentation includes a sign, symbol, emblem, artwork, image, or otherindicia showing the listener to wear headphones or earphones. Forinstance, the graphical representation includes a head wearingheadphones, about to wear headphones, or putting on headphones.Movements or actions of the graphical representation instruct thelistener on what movements or actions the listener should do as well(e.g., movements of the graphical representation donning headphonesshows the listener to don headphones).

During an electronic communication, one or more users exchange graphicalrepresentations, indications, and/or sound with each other.

By way of example, a computer or electronic device generates the sound(computer-generated sound), or microphones capture and record the soundto be sent. For example, one or more microphones capture the sound asmono sound or stereo sound when the first user speaks a message to thesecond user. As another example, the first electronic device or a serverin communication with the first electronic device includes a pluralitypre-recorded or previously generated sounds.

The sound can be stored in memory of an electronic device, obtained frommemory of an electronic device (such as a computer or server), and/ortransmitted or streamed over one or more networks.

Consider an example in which the first electronic device executes amobile software messaging application that includes hundreds orthousands of sound clips or sound files. The first electronic deviceobtains or has access to these sound clips or sound files and can sendthem to other users of the mobile software messaging application.

Consider an example in which the first electronic device obtains thesound when the first user speaks into microphones in the firstelectronic device or in communication with the first electronic device.The microphones records the voice of the first user as he or she recordsa message or sound to be played to the second user.

The first electronic device transmits the sound and a graphicalrepresentation associated with or corresponding to the sound over one ormore wired or wireless networks (e.g., a cellular network, the internet,etc.). For example, the first electronic device includes a wirelesstransmitter/receiver that sends the sound and graphical representation.

Consider an example in which the first user commands or instructs thesound clip to play to the second user during an electronic communicationbetween the first and second users. In response to this command orinstruction, the first electronic device transmits the sound clip and a3D moving emoji to the second electronic device.

In another example embodiment, a server or another electronic devicetransmits the sound and/or graphical representation to the secondelectronic device. Consider an example in which the first and secondusers talk or message each other with a mobile messaging softwareapplication. The application executes on the electronic devices and oneor more servers. When the first user clicks on a 3D sound emoji, thisaction causes one of the servers to transmit the 3D emoji and sound tothe second electronic device.

The second electronic device receives the sound and the graphicalrepresentation from the first electronic device or another electronicdevice (e.g., a server) in communication with the first electronic. Forexample, the second electronic device includes a wirelesstransmitter/receiver that receives the sound and graphicalrepresentation over one or more networks.

A processor or sound hardware processes or convolves the sound withhead-related transfer functions (HRTFs) or other SLI so the sound willexternally localize as binaural sound to the listener.

In an example embodiment, the electronic device display the graphicalrepresentation with one or more of the following: (1) an indication thatthe sound will externally localize as binaural sound to the second user,(2) an indication of a location where the sound will externally localizeas binaural sound to the second user, and (3) an indication informingthe second user to wear headphones or earphones before listening to thesound.

The graphical representation displays one or more indications discussedherein in accordance with example embodiments. These indications includethose discussed in connection with FIGS. 4A-4X.

FIGS. 4A-4X show a plurality of graphical representations with one ormore indications in accordance with example embodiments. By way ofexample, the graphical representations 400A-400X are shown as faces,such as a face of an emoji, emoticon, etc. Such faces can have manyshapes and forms, such as human faces, cartoon character faces, animalfaces, animated faces, etc.

Example embodiments are not limited to graphical representations thatinclude faces, such as those shown in FIGS. 4A-4X. Graphicalrepresentations can have many sizes, shapes, and forms (e.g., people,faces, characters, animals, and objects).

Furthermore, these graphical representations are shown astwo-dimensional but can also be three-dimensional (3D). Further, thegraphical representations can be static, such as a 2D or 3D emoji thatdo not move or change facial expressions. Alternatively, the graphicalrepresentations can be dynamic, such as 2D or 3D emoji that move, talk,change facial expressions, rotate, etc. Further yet, graphicalrepresentations in accordance with example embodiments can be presentedas AR images and VR images.

The graphical representations 400A-400X include or are associated with asound, such as a sound clip, a sound file, a recorded voice message,streaming audio, etc. The sound can play for a short period of time(e.g., less than one second, one second, two seconds, etc.). Forexample, the sound is a voice saying “Hello” or “Hahahaha” or “Thankyou” or another short audio message. As another example, the sound is acomputer-generated “Beep” or phone ringing or explosion sound. The soundcan play for longer periods of time (e.g., ten seconds, thirty seconds,one minute, several minutes, etc.). For example, the sound is a recordedmessage from a user during an electronic communication between twousers.

By way of example, the sound plays when the listener activates thegraphical representation or another action occurs that initiates oractivates playing of the sound. For example, a first user sends a seconduser an emoji shaped like a heart. This heart appears on a display of anelectronic device of the second user. When the second user clicks on theheart, a voice in binaural sound says “I love you” to the second user.

With example embodiments, the graphical representations can represent orsymbolize the listener or source of sound (depending on whatinstructions or understandings are provided to the listener and/orusers). The graphical representations and indications are displayed tothe listener on a display of a WED, PED, HPED, HMD, or other electronicdevice discussed herein. The electronic device and display are not shownin FIGS. 4A-4X for ease of illustration. Further, these figures areshown from the point-of-view of the listener looking at the displayand/or interacting with the electronic device.

As explained herein, the graphical representation and/or indication canbe altered or changed in response to determining how the sound will playto the listener or how the listener will hear the sound (e.g., hear thesound as binaural sound or one of mono sound or stereo sound). Forexample, the indication is added or removed from the graphicalrepresentation in response to this determination.

Consider an example in which the graphical representation is originallysent or displayed as 400A-400X (e.g., without the indication). Upondetermining how the listener will hear the sound or how the sound willlocalize, the graphical representation is altered to include theindication 410A-410X. The indications can be added and removed asdiscussed herein.

FIG. 4A shows a graphical representation 400A with an indication 410Ashown as an arrow or pointer. One end of the arrow connects to the headof the graphical representation, and another end of the arrow points toa location where binaural sound will externally localize to thelistener. Indication 410A points upward and to one side of the face ofthe graphical representation. This location shows the listener where thebinaural sound will externally localize to the listener when thebinaural sound plays to the listener.

Consider an example in which the graphical representation 400A displayson a display in front of the listener and represents a person orcharacter that will talk to the listener. For example, the listenerholds a smartphone or wears a HMD or WED, and the display shows thegraphical representation 400A in front of the face of the listener. Inthis instance, the arrow points to a location in space that is upwardand to the right of the listener. When the listener activates thegraphical representation, the sound externally localizes to the locationindicated with the indication 410A (here, upward and to the right of theface of the listener).

Consider an example in which the arrow is colored (e.g., blue or anothercolor) and/or flashes or changes brightness. When users sees this arrow,they know that sound associated with the corresponding graphicalrepresentation will externally localize as binaural sound. This arrowappears on other emoji or emoticons. Users recognize the arrow as anindication or message that the sound will be in binaural sound.

The indications can thus serve as a way to visually inform users thatthe sound associated with the graphical representation will be binauralsound. Users learn the recognize the indication as a symbol for binauralsound. When a listener sees the arrow, he or she immediately knows inadvance that the sound will be binaural sound and externally localize,as opposed to mono sound or stereo sound that internally localizesinside a head of the listener.

FIG. 4B shows a graphical representation 400B with an indication 410B.The indication includes a pointer or arrow having one end near oradjacent to eyes of the head of the graphical representation, andanother end of the arrow points to a location in empty space (markedwith an “X”) that is next to one side of the head or the face of thegraphical representation. This location at the “X” indicates wherebinaural sound will externally localize to the listener. The arrow alsoindicates to the listener to look in this direction since this directionis where the sound will externally localize once played. The indicationthus shows the listener which direction to look or to face so thelistener looks at the SLP when the binaural sound activates and plays tothe listener.

Consider an example in which the graphical representation 400B displaysthrough a HMD that the listener wears. The graphical representation doesnot initially display the indication 410B. Binaural sound willexternally localize at a SLP having spherical coordinate location (1.0,0.0°, −30°) with respect to the head of the listener as an origin. Thesound is about to play, but the listener is looking in a differentdirection, such as looking at an object at (3.0, 10°, +44°). Thelistener is thus not current looking at or facing the SLP. In response,the HMD flashes the indication 410B on the display. The indicationinforms the listener that binaural sound is about to play. Theindication also informs the listener to move his or her head in adirection show by the arrow since the sound will externally localize.The listener moves his or her head until the “X” is in his or herfield-of-view. When this occurs, the HMD removes the indication 410B andplays the binaural sound as an animated 3D VR talking human character.

FIG. 4C shows a graphical representation 400C with an indication 410Cshown as head of a person. The indication and the graphicalrepresentation together show where the binaural sound will externallylocalize to the listener before or while the sound plays to thelistener.

Consider an example in which a first user and a second user talk orexchange talking graphical representations during an electroniccommunication. The first user sends the second user a talking emojishown as 400C which displays to the second user on a HPED. This emoji isan animated head that looks like or represents the first user. So, theface of the first user appears on the display of the HPED of the seconduser and faces the second user as shown in FIG. 4C. The indication 410Calso appears on this display and represents the head of the second user.So, the second users sees himself or herself (indication 410C) talkingto the first user (graphical representation 400C). The relative positionof graphical representation 400C to indication 410C clearly shows thatthe first user is located in front of and to the left of the seconduser. In other words, the relative position of the two heads on thedisplay of the HPED show where the SLP will be for the second user.

FIG. 4D shows a graphical representation 400D with an indication 410Dshown as source of binaural sound (a black dot with lines emanating fromthe black dot). As shown with an arrow, the source of binaural soundmoves from a first location 420D outside a head of a person to a secondlocation 430D inside a head of the person.

The indication 410D provides the listener with a variety of differentvaluable information. Consider the example in which the graphicalrepresentation 400D represents or symbolizes the head of the listenerand is shown on a display of an HPED to the listener. First, theindication shows the listener that the sound will be binaural soundsince the location 420D is physically located outside of the head of thelistener. Second, the indication shows a location of where this binauralsound will initially localize to the listener. As shown, the binauralsound initially has a SLP to a right side of the face of the listener.The indication shows transition or movement of the binaural sound. TheSLP starts at 420D and moves along the arrow to 430D. Here, the soundinitially localizes as binaural sound and then moves to internallylocalize as stereo or mono sound.

FIG. 4E shows a graphical representation 400E with an indication 410Ethat includes a curved pointer or arrow. One end of the arrow points tothe head or ears of the face of the graphical representation, andanother end of the arrow includes a “3D” that indicatesthree-dimensional sound.

The indication 410E shows the listener that the sound will or islocalizing in binaural sound. The indication also a direction to thesource of the sound that is located at the “3D.” Furthermore, a size ofthe “3D” can indicate a distance to the source of the sound. Forexample, different font sizes represent different distances. Forinstance, a “3D” with a larger size indicates the source of sound iscloser than a “3D” with a smaller size.

FIG. 4F shows a graphical representation 400F with an indication 410Fthat shows the sound will externally localize to the listener asbinaural sound. The indication includes the word “Sound” and sound wavesentering from one side of the head of the graphical representation.

Consider an example in which the graphical representation 400Frepresents or symbolizes the head of the listener. In this instance, thesource of sound originates from a right side located above the head ofthe listener.

FIG. 4G shows a graphical representation 400G with an indication 410Gthat shows the sound will externally localize to the listener asbinaural sound. The indication includes the acronym or letters “FL” thatstand for “front left.” Based on this indication, the listener expectsthe source of sound to be in front of the face of the listener and tohis or her left.

The location of the source of binaural sound can appear inside the bodyof the graphical representation with words, text, symbols, images, orother indicia that indicate a direction and/or distance to the source ofthe sound. For example, instead of “FL” the indication includes acompass heading (such as North, South, East, or West) or a coordinatelocation (such as coordinate location in rectangular coordinates, polarcoordinates, or spherical coordinates).

FIG. 4H shows a graphical representation 400H with an indication 410H.The indication includes a SLP or source of sound 420H with respect tothe graphical representation 410H. The indication shows a distance (1.0meter) from the graphical representation to the source of sound. Thisdistance shows the listener that the binaural sound will externallylocalize one meter away from the head of the listener.

In an example embodiment, the indication remains displayed with thegraphical representation. For instance, while the graphicalrepresentation displays to the listener, the indication simultaneouslydisplays to the listener. In another example embodiment, the indicationdisplays for a temporary period of time with the graphicalrepresentation. For instance, the indication initially displays with thegraphical representation to notify or inform the user of the existenceand location of the source of the binaural sound. The indication thendisappears while the graphical representation continues to display tothe listener while the sound plays to the listener.

FIG. 4I shows a graphical representation 4001 with an indication 4101that shows the sound will externally localize to the listener asbinaural sound. The indication includes the acronym or letters “3D” thatstand for three-dimensional. Based on this indication, the listenerexpects the sound to be 3D sound or binaural sound that externallylocalizes to the listener.

Consider an example embodiment in which the indication is instead “Mono”or “Stereo” or another symbol or word to visually indicate that thesound will localize as or be provided as mono sound or stereo sound.

FIG. 4J shows a graphical representation 400J with an indication 410Jthat shows the face with ears and sound (shown as three lines) emanatinginto the ears. This information informs the listener to wear headphonesand informs the listener that sound is or will be binaural sound thatexternally localizes away from the head of the listener.

FIG. 4K shows a graphical representation 400K with an indication 410Kthat includes headphones on the head of the face of the graphicalrepresentation. This indication informs the listener to wear or donheadphones before listening to the sound.

Consider an example in which a first user sends a second user a 3D imagethat talks to the second user. When the second user activates the 3Dimage, a sound clip plays to the listener as binaural sound thatexternally localizes away from the head of the second user. The 3D imageis or represents the first user. For instance, this image looks like orresembles the first user. This 3D image includes the first user wearingheadphones. When the second user sees the image of the first userwearing headphones, the second user is reminded or instructed to wearheadphones before listening to the sound clip. When the user puts onheadphones and the sound clip begins to play, the headphones disappearfrom the 3D image.

FIG. 4L shows a graphical representation 400L with an indication 410Lthat instructs a listener to wear earphones or earbuds before listeningto the sound associated with the graphical representation. Thisindication informs the listener to wear or don headphones beforelistening to the sound. Specifically, the indication shows the graphicalrepresentation putting on earphones or shows earphones being placed onthe head of the graphical representation. This information reminds orinstructs the listener to also put on earphones.

Consider an example in which a display of user simultaneously displaysmany graphical representations. Graphical representations withindications indicating 3D sound or binaural sound quickly show the userwhich ones of the graphical representations are in binaural sound orwill play as binaural sound. Those graphical representations withoutsuch an indication are in stereo or mono sound or will play as stereo ormono sound. Providing such indications with emojis, for example, enablesa listener to quickly visually determine a format of emojis with sound(e.g., a format of stereo or mono sound versus a format of binauralsound).

FIG. 4M shows a graphical representation 400M with an indication 410Mthat instructs a listener to wear a head mounted display (HMD) or otherwearable device (e.g., a smartphone that attaches to the head of thelistener via a head mount). This indication informs the listener to wearor don the HMD before listening to the sound. Specifically, theindication shows the graphical representation putting on the HMD. Thisinformation reminds or instructs the listener to also put on his or herHMD.

FIG. 4N shows a graphical representation 400N with an indication 410Nshown as a source of the binaural sound. The indication includes acircle that represents the source of sound or SLP from where thelistener will hear the binaural sound. Three lines indicate soundemanating from the circle to the listener.

The graphical representation 400N also includes eyes that are lookingtoward the indication 420N. The direction of gaze of the graphicalrepresentation shows the listener the direction of the source of sound.

Consider an example in which two users send emojis with 3D sound to eachother during an electronic communication. The graphical representation400N is a 3D talking emoji of the first user that was sent to the HPEDof the second user. Before activating the emoji, the second user seeseyes of the graphical representation looking forward but to one side.This same side includes source of sound emitting sound. This informationinstructs the second user that the sound will be 3D sound or binauralsound. The information also instruct the second user of the locationwhere the second user will hear the sound. When the second useractivates the emoji, its mouth moves and begins to talk to the seconduser. The indication 420N vanishes from the display, and the second usersees the graphical representation 400N talking.

FIG. 40 shows a graphical representation 4000 with an indication 4100shown as eyes and face of the graphical representation looking in aparticular direction. This direction indicates the location of thebinaural sound to the listener.

The face of the graphical representation 4000 is rotated to the rightfrom the point-of-view of the listener. This information instructs thelistener that the listener should look to his or her right.Alternatively or additionally, this information instructs the listenerthat the source of sound or SLP will be to the right of the head of thelistener.

FIG. 40 shows that the looking direction or gaze of the eyes canindicate the location of the source of sound or SLP. The direction ofthe face or looking direction of the face can also indicate thisinformation. For example, the head of the graphical representation 4000rotates to a right to indicate the SLP will be to the right, rotatesleft to indicate the SLP will be to the left, rotates up to indicate theSLP will be up, etc.

The graphical representation 4000 also includes eyes that are lookingtoward the indication 4200. The direction of gaze of the graphicalrepresentation shows the listener the direction of the source of sound.

FIG. 4P shows a graphical representation 400P with an indication 410Pthat includes a source of sound or SLP 420P and information 430P aboutthe location of the SLP. The information shows a coordinate locationwhere the SLP will or does exist for the listener. This SLP has aspherical coordinate location of (1.0 m, 30°, 25°).

In FIG. 4P, the indication 410P shows the precise or exact coordinatelocation where the sound will play to the listener. The SLP 420P is alsopositioned at this same location. So both the coordinate location (shownat 430P) and the SLP 420P show the listener where the sound will play tothe listener.

FIG. 4Q shows a graphical representation 400Q with an indication 410Qthat includes headphones. These headphones serve one or more of severalfunctions. First, the headphones instruct the listener to put onheadphones. Second, the headphones instruct the listener that the soundthe listener will hear will be binaural sound since proper externalsound localization of binaural sound requires headphones or earphones.Third, the headphones show a location where the binaural sound willexternally localize to the listener. As shown in FIG. 4Q, the sound willoriginate above and in front of the listener since this is the locationof the headphones with respect to the head of the graphicalrepresentation.

FIG. 4R shows a graphical representation 400R with an indication 410Rthat includes a facial expression of the graphical representation. Thefacial expression (shown as a sad face) indicates to the listener thatthe listener is not ready to hear the sound associated with thegraphical representation.

Consider an example in which emojis with sad faces represent that thelistener is not wearing headphones or earphones. When the listener donsheadphones or earphones, the emoji with the sad face changes to a happyface. This change and the happy face signify to the listener that thelistener is ready to hear the sound as binaural sound.

FIG. 4S shows a graphical representation 400S with an indication 410S.The indication includes three circles that represent SLPs near the heador face of the graphical representation which is understood to representthe head of the second user. Each circle represents a different SLPwhere the first user can select to have binaural sound externallylocalize away from the head of the second user. One SLP 412S appears infront of and on a right side of the head of the graphical representation(representing the head of the second user); one SLP 414S appears infront of and above the head of the graphical representation(representing the head of the second user); one SLP 416S appears infront of and on a left side of the head of the graphical representation(representing the head of the second user).

Consider an example in which the graphical representation 400S displayson or through an electronic device of the first user (e.g., a HMD,smartphone, or wearable electronic device). The first user selects oneof the indications 412S, 414S, or 416S and transmits the graphicalrepresentation 400S to the second user during an electroniccommunication between the first user and the second user. When theelectronic device of the second user receives the graphicalrepresentation, the sound plays as binaural sound to the location of theindication selected by the first user. For example, if the first userselected 412S, then the binaural sound originates in front of and to aright side of the head of the second user since the location of 412Sdisplayed to the first user was in front of and to a right side of thehead of the graphical representation 400S.

FIG. 4T shows a graphical representation 400T with an indication 410T.The indication represents a SLP or location where binaural sound willemanate with respect to the listener. The indication 410T is located infront of the face or head and shows a relative location where thebinaural sound will originate. For example, the binaural sound willlocalize to a SLP that is in empty space about one meter away from thehead or face of the listener as shown in FIG. 4T.

HRTFs with coordinate locations of the indication are stored in memoryand retrieved upon selection of the indication.

FIG. 4U shows a graphical representation 400U with an indication 410U.The indication includes three symbols (“3D”) that representthree-dimensional or binaural sound. Each 3D symbol represents SLPs nearthe head or face of the graphical representation which is understood torepresent the head of the second user. Each 3D symbol represents adifferent SLP where the first user can select to have binaural soundexternally localize away from the head of the second user. One 3D symbol412U appears in front of and slightly above the face of the graphicalrepresentation (representing the head of the second user); one 3D symbol414U appears directly front of the face of the graphical representation(representing the head of the second user); one 3D symbol 416U appearsin front of and slightly below the face of the graphical representation(representing the head of the second user).

Consider an example in which the graphical representation 400U displayson or through an electronic device of the first user (e.g., a HMD,smartphone, or wearable electronic device). The first user sees threedifferent locations for where he or she can select to have binauralsound localize to the second user. The 3D symbols visually inform thefirst user that the sound is binaural sound. The first user selects oneof the indications 412U, 414U, or 416U and transmits the graphicalrepresentation 400U to the second user during an electroniccommunication between the first user and the second user. When theelectronic device of the second user receives the graphicalrepresentation, the sound plays as binaural sound to the location of theindication selected by the first user. For example, if the first userselected 414U, then the binaural sound originates directly in front offace of the second user since the location of 414U displayed to thefirst user was directly in front of the face of the graphicalrepresentation 400U.

FIG. 4V shows a graphical representation 400V with an indication 410V.The indication includes a menu that enables the user to select how soundwill play to the listener. The menu options includes playing the soundas binaural sound, mono sound, or stereo sound. The option “stereo”sound is bolded to indicate this is the option selected by the user.

Consider an example in which the first user sends the graphicalrepresentation 400V to the second user. The first user selects theoption “binaural sound” from the menu and transmits the graphicalrepresentation to the second user. When the electronic device plays thesound of the graphical representation to the second user, the seconduser hears the sound as binaural sound since this was the selection ofthe first user.

FIG. 4W shows a graphical representation 400W with an indication 410W.The indication includes a menu that enables the user to select wherebinaural sound will play to the listener. The menu options includesplaying the binaural sound to originate in front of the face or head ofthe listener, playing the binaural sound to originate to a left side ofthe face or head of the listener, and playing the sound to originate toa right side of the face or head of the listener. The option “rightside” is bolded to indicate this is the option selected by the user.

Consider an example in which the first user records a voice message andsends this voice message as the graphical representation 400W to thesecond user. The graphical representation is a moving 3D image of theface and head of the first user. The first user selects the option“right side” from the menu and transmits the graphical representation tothe second user. When the electronic device plays the sound of thegraphical representation to the second user, the graphicalrepresentation moves and talks to the second user. This action simulatesthe first user talking to the second user since the graphicalrepresentation emulates, copies, simulates, or represents the firstuser. The voice of the first user externally localizes to the seconduser at the location selected by the first user. Here, the first userselected his or her voice to externally localize as binaural sound to aright side of the head of the second user.

FIG. 4X shows a graphical representation 400X with an indication 410X.The indication includes an “X” that represents the SLP where binauralsound will externally localize to the listener. The user can move theindication to different locations around the head or face. This movementenables the user to select a location where the listener will hear thebinaural sound. If the user moves the X above the head, then thelistener hears the sound above the head. If the user moves the X infront of the face, then the listener hears the sound in front of theface. The user can move the indication to the desired SLP.

Consider an example in which the first user moves the indication 410X toa location in front of the face of the graphical representation. Theelectronic device calculates a relative location of the indication withrespect to the displayee head that is considered as an origin for acoordinate system. The electronic device calculates a coordinatelocation of the indication on the display with respect to the head. Forexample, this coordinate location is in spherical coordinates. Once thecoordinate location is known, the electronic device consults a lookuptable that includes coordinate locations for known HRTFs and selects theHRTF pair that matches the coordinate location calculated between theindication and the head. A processor processes or convolves the soundwith the HRTF pair, and sound localizes to the listener at thecoordinate location that corresponds to the location of the indicationwith respect to the displayed head.

FIG. 5 is an example computer system 500 in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

The computer system 500 includes one or more of a server 510, a database520, an electronic device 530, and an electronic device 540 incommunication over one or more networks 550. User 539 is with or useselectronic device 530, and user 549 is with or uses electronic device540. For illustration, a single server 510, a single database 520, twoelectronic devices 530 and 540, and two users 539 and 549 are shown, butexample embodiments can include a plurality of servers, databases,electronic devices, and users.

Server 510 includes a memory 512 and a processing unit 514. The memory521 includes sound clips 516 and graphical representations or graphicalreps 518 of the sound clips. The server 510 couples to or communicateswith the database 520 that includes sound clips 522 and graphicalrepresentations or graphical reps 524.

Electronic device 530 includes a processing unit 532 and memory 534 withsound clips 535 and graphical representations or graphical reps 538.User 539 interacts with or uses electronic device 530.

Electronic device 540 includes a processing unit 542 and memory 544 withsound clips 546 and graphical representations or graphical reps 548.User 549 interacts with or uses electronic device 530.

FIG. 6 is an example of an electronic device 600 in accordance with anexample embodiment.

The electronic device 600 includes a processor or processing unit 610,memory 620 with sound clips 622 and graphical representations orgraphical reps 624, a display 630, one or more interfaces 640, awireless transmitter/receiver 650, speakers 660, one or more microphones670, head tracking 680 (such as one or more of an inertial sensor,accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer), and a graphicalrepresentation and/or indication presenter 690 (e.g., software,hardware, and/or program instructions discussed in figures herein thatprovide how and/or where the sound is or will play to the listener).

Memory includes computer readable medium (CRM). Examples of an interfaceinclude, but are not limited to, a network interface, a graphical userinterface, a natural language user interface, a natural user interface,a phone control interface, a reality user interface, a kinetic userinterface, a touchless user interface, an augmented reality userinterface, and/or an interface that combines reality and virtuality.

Sound clips include sound files, sounds, recorded messages (such asvoice messages or other recorded sound), computer-generated sounds, andother sound discussed herein. For example, users can record, exchange,and/or transmit sound clips or sounds. These sound include sendingstreaming sounds or sounds in real-time during an electroniccommunication.

The processor or processing unit includes a processor and/or a digitalsignal processor (DSP). For example, the processing unit includes one ormore of a central processing unit, CPU, digital signal processor (DSP),microprocessor, microcontrollers, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA),application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), etc. for controllingthe overall operation of memory (such as random access memory (RAM) fortemporary data storage, read only memory (ROM) for permanent datastorage, and firmware).

Consider an example embodiment in which the processing unit includesboth a processor and DSP that communicate with each other and memory andperform operations and tasks that implement one or more blocks of theflow diagram discussed herein. The memory, for example, storesapplications, data, programs, sound clips, algorithms (includingsoftware to implement or assist in implementing example embodiments) andother data.

For example, a processor or DSP executes a convolving process with theretrieved HRTFs or HRIRs (or other transfer functions or impulseresponses) to process sound clips so that the sound is adjusted, placed,or localized for a listener away from but proximate to the head of thelistener. For example, the DSP converts mono or stereo sound to binauralsound so this binaural sound externally localizes to the user. The DSPcan also receive binaural sound and move its localization point, add orremove impulse responses (such as RIRs), and perform other functions.

For example, an electronic device or software program convolves and/orprocesses the sound captured at the microphones of an electronic deviceand provides this convolved sound to the listener so the listener canlocalize the sound and hear it. The listener can experience a resultinglocalization externally (such as at a sound localization point (SLP)associated with near field HRTFs and far field HRTFs) or internally(such as monaural sound or stereo sound).

The memory stores HRTFs, HRIRs, BRTFs, BRIRs, RTFs, RIRs, or othertransfer functions and/or impulse responses for processing and/orconvolving sound. The memory can also store instructions for executingone or more example embodiments. Further, the memory can store thesound, graphical representations, and other information and instructionsdiscussed herein.

The electronic device provides sound to the users through one or morespeakers. Alternatively or in addition to the speakers, the electronicdevice can communicate with headphones, earphones, earbuds, boneconduction devices, or another electronic device that provides sound tothe user.

The networks include one or more of a cellular network, a public switchtelephone network, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide areanetwork (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a personal areanetwork (PAN), home area network (HAM), and other public and/or privatenetworks. Additionally, the electronic devices need not communicate witheach other through a network. As one example, electronic devices coupletogether via one or more wires, such as a direct wired-connection. Asanother example, electronic devices communicate directly through awireless protocol, such as Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), orother wireless communication protocol.

By way of example, a computer and an electronic device include, but arenot limited to, handheld portable electronic devices (HPEDs), wearableelectronic glasses, electronic or smart watches, wearable electronicdevices (WEDs), smart earphones or hearables, electronic devices withcellular or mobile phone capabilities or subscriber identificationmodule (SIM) cards, desktop computers, servers, portable computers (suchas tablet and notebook computers), smartphones, head mounted displays(HMDs), optical head mounted displays (OHMDs), headphones, and otherelectronic devices with a processor or processing unit, a memory, a DSP.

Example embodiments are not limited to HRTFs but also include othersound transfer functions and sound impulse responses including, but notlimited to, head related impulse responses (HRIRs), room transferfunctions (RTFs), room impulse responses (RIRs), binaural room impulseresponses (BRIRs), binaural room transfer functions (BRTFs), headphonetransfer functions (HPTFs), etc.

Example embodiments can be executed with one or more integrated circuitsthat are specifically customized, designed, or configured to execute oneor more blocks discussed herein. For example, the electronic devicesinclude a specialized or custom processor or microprocessor orsemiconductor intellectual property (SIP) core or digital signalprocessor (DSP) with a hardware architecture optimized for convolvingsound and executing one or more example embodiments.

Consider an example in which the HPED (including headphones) includes acustomized or dedicated DSP that executes one or more blocks discussedherein (including processing and/or convolving sound into binaural soundfor sound clips). Such a DSP has a better power performance or powerefficiency compared to a general-purpose microprocessor and is moresuitable for a HPED or WED due to power consumption constraints of theHPED or WED. The DSP can also include a specialized hardwarearchitecture, such as a special or specialized memory architecture tosimultaneously fetch or pre-fetch multiple data and/or instructionsconcurrently to increase execution speed and sound processing efficiencyand to quickly correct errors while sound externally localizes to theuser. By way of example, streaming sound data (such as sound data in atelephone call or software game application) is processed and convolvedwith a specialized memory architecture (such as the Harvard architectureor the Modified von Neumann architecture). The DSP can also provide alower-cost solution compared to a general-purpose microprocessor thatexecutes digital signal processing and convolving algorithms. The DSPcan also provide functions as an application processor ormicrocontroller. The DSP can also prefetch sound clips and other soundfrom memory to expedite convolution.

Consider an example in which a customized DSP includes one or morespecial instruction sets for multiply-accumulate operations (MACoperations), such as convolving with transfer functions and/or impulseresponses (such as HRTFs, HRIRs, BRIRs, et al.), executing Fast FourierTransforms (FFTs), executing finite impulse response (FIR) filtering,and executing instructions to increase parallelism.

Consider another example in which sound clips, graphicalrepresentations, and/or HRTFs (or other transfer functions or impulseresponses) are stored or cached in the DSP memory or local memoryrelatively close to the DSP to expedite binaural sound processing.

As used herein, an “emoji” is a graphical representation that includesimages, symbols, or icons sent between users in electroniccommunications (such as text messages, e-mail, and social media) toexpress an emotional attitude of the writer, convey information, orcommunicate an message. Emojis can provide sound when activated orexecuted.

As used herein, “headphones” or “earphones” include a left and rightover-ear ear cup, on-ear pad, or in-ear monitor (IEM) with one or morespeakers or drivers for a left and a right ear of a wearer. The left andright cup, pad, or IEM may be connected with a band, connector, wire, orhousing, or one or both cups, pads, or IEMs may operate wirelessly beingunconnected to the other. The drivers may rest on, in, or around theears of the wearer, or mounted near the ears without touching the ears.

As used herein, the word “proximate” means near. For example, binauralsound that externally localizes away from but proximate to a userlocalizes within three meters of the head of the user.

As used herein, a “user” or a “listener” is a person (i.e., a humanbeing). These terms can also be a software program (including an IPA orIUA), hardware (such as a processor or processing unit), an electronicdevice or a computer (such as a speaking robot or avatar shaped like ahuman with microphones in its ears or about six inches apart).

In some example embodiments, the methods illustrated herein and data andinstructions associated therewith, are stored in respective storagedevices that are implemented as computer-readable and/ormachine-readable storage media, physical or tangible media, and/ornon-transitory storage media. These storage media include differentforms of memory including semiconductor memory devices such as DRAM, orSRAM, Erasable and Programmable Read-Only Memories (EPROMs),Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read-Only Memories (EEPROMs) andflash memories; magnetic disks such as fixed and removable disks; othermagnetic media including tape; optical media such as Compact Disks (CDs)or Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs). Note that the instructions of thesoftware discussed above can be provided on computer-readable ormachine-readable storage medium, or alternatively, can be provided onmultiple computer-readable or machine-readable storage media distributedin a large system having possibly plural nodes. Such computer-readableor machine-readable medium or media is (are) considered to be part of anarticle (or article of manufacture). An article or article ofmanufacture can refer to a manufactured single component or multiplecomponents.

Blocks and/or methods discussed herein can be executed and/or made by auser, a user agent (including machine learning agents and intelligentuser agents), a software application, an electronic device, a computer,firmware, hardware, a process, a computer system, and/or an intelligentpersonal assistant. Furthermore, blocks and/or methods discussed hereincan be executed automatically with or without instruction from a user.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method executed by one or more electronicdevices that enables a first user sending an emoji to a second user toselect whether the second user will hear sound from the emoji asbinaural sound or one of mono and stereo sounds, the method comprising:displaying, with a display of a first electronic device of the firstuser, the emoji that includes a first visual indication that whenselected plays the sound from the emoji to the second user in thebinaural sound and that includes a second visual indication that whenselected plays the sound from the emoji to the second user in one of themono sound or the stereo sound; receiving, at the first electronicdevice and from the first user, selection of the first visual indicationthat causes the sound to play to the second user as the binaural sound;transmitting the emoji from the first electronic device to a secondelectronic device of the second user during an electronic communicationbetween the first user and the second user; and playing, in response toreceiving the selection from the first user of the first visualindication, the sound of the emoji with the second electronic device tothe second user so the sound externally localizes to the second user asthe binaural sound in empty space at least one meter away from a head ofthe second user.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first visualindication and the second visual indication are located inside a body ofthe emoji.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising: expeditingprocessing of the sound of the emoji at the second electronic device byconvolving, with a digital signal processor (DSP) in the firstelectronic device, the sound with head-related transfer functions(HRTFs) to change the sound into the binaural sound before transmittingthe emoji and the sound from the first electronic device to the secondelectronic device and in response to receiving the selection of thefirst visual indication at the first electronic device.
 4. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: displaying, with a display of the secondelectronic device, the emoji with the first visual indication so thesecond user can see that the sound was selected by the first user toplay to the second user as the binaural sound.
 5. The method of claim 1further comprising: receiving, at the first electronic device and fromthe second electronic device, head-related transfer functions (HRTFs)that are customized to the second user; and processing, with a digitalsignal processor (DSP) in the first electronic device, the sound withthe HRTFs that are customized to the second user before transmitting theemoji and the sound to the second electronic device second user.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first visual indication includes a symbol“3D” that signifies the binaural sound, and the symbol is located insidea body of the emoji.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first visualindication includes an indication located on a right side of the emojiand an indication located on a left side of the emoji, selection by thefirst user of the indication on the right side of the emoji causes thebinaural sound to externally localize to a right side of the head of thesecond user, and selection by the first user of the indication on theleft side of the emoji causes the binaural sound to externally localizeto a left side of the head of the second user.
 8. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium that one or more electronic devicesexecute to enable a first user to select where sound of an emojilocalizes to a second user, the method comprising: displaying, with adisplay of a first portable electronic device of a first user, an emojithat enables the first user to select between two different locationswhere the sound of the emoji will externally localize as binaural soundin empty space outside a head of a second user when a second portableelectronic device of the second user plays the sound of the emoji to thesecond user; receiving, from the first user and at the first portableelectronic device of the first user, a selection of one of the twodifferent locations; transmitting the emoji and the sound to the secondportable electronic device of the second user; and playing, at thesecond portable electronic device and to the second user, the sound ofthe emoji such that the sound of the emoji externally localizes as thebinaural sound at the one of the two different locations selected by thefirst user that is in the empty space outside the head of the seconduser.
 9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8further comprising: saving processing resources of a digital signalprocessor (DSP) in the second portable electronic device of the seconduser by convolving, with head-related transfer functions (HRTFs), thesound of the emoji into the binaural sound with a DSP in the firstportable electronic device of the first user before transmitting theemoji and the sound to the second portable electronic device of thesecond user.
 10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 8 further comprising: displaying, with the display of the firstportable electronic device of the first user, the two differentlocations as a first location that when selected provides the sound tothe second user in front of and to a left side of the head of the seconduser and a second location that when selected provides the sound to thesecond user in front of and to a right side of the head of the seconduser to enable the first user to select between the first location andthe second location.
 11. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 8 further comprising: displaying, with a display of thesecond portable electronic device, a visual indication to the seconduser that the first user selected the sound to externally localize asthe binaural sound to the second user at the one of the two differentlocations.
 12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 8 further comprising: displaying, with the display of the firstportable electronic device of the first user, the two differentlocations where the sound of the emoji will externally localize as thebinaural sound in the empty space outside the head of the second user asa first visual indication that is located away from and on a right sideof the emoji and a second visual indication that is located away fromand on a left side of the emoji.
 13. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 8 further comprising: enablingthe first user to select where the sound of the emoji localizes to thesecond user by displaying, with the display of the first portableelectronic device of the first user, a first option that when selectedprovides the sound to the second user as stereo sound and a secondoption that when selected provides the sound to the second user at oneof the two different locations where the sound of the emoji willexternally localize as the binaural sound.
 14. A method executed by oneor more electronic devices during an electronic communication between afirst user and a second user that enables the first user to select howsound of an emoji plays to the second user, the method comprising:displaying, with a display of a portable electronic device (PED) of thefirst user, the emoji that enables the first user to select betweenplaying the sound to the second user as binaural sound that externallylocalizes outside a head of the second user and playing the sound to thesecond user as one of stereo sound and mono sound; receiving, at the PEDof the first user and from the first user, selection of playing thesound to the second user as the binaural sound that externally localizesoutside the head of the second user; transmitting, from the PED of thefirst user and to the PED of the second user, the emoji and the sound;and playing, by the PED of the second user and to the second user, thesound of the emoji such that the sound plays to the second user asselected by the first user as the binaural sound that externallylocalizes outside the head of the second user.
 15. A method of claim 14further comprising: displaying, with a display of the PED of the seconduser, the emoji with a visual indication that the sound will play to thesecond user as the binaural sound; and receiving, at the PED of thesecond user, activation of the emoji by the second user to the play thesound as the binaural sound that externally localizes outside the headof the second user.
 16. A method of claim 14 further comprising:expediting playing of the sound to the second user by convolving, with adigital signal processor (DSP) in the PED of the second user, the soundwith head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) before the second useractivates the emoji to play the sound so that the sound is alreadyconvolved into the binaural sound by the DSP before the second useractivates the sound to play.
 17. A method of claim 14 furthercomprising: simultaneously displaying, with the display of the PED ofthe first user, a first visual indication that when selected by thefirst user selects playing of the sound to the second user as thebinaural sound and a second visual indication that when selected by thefirst user selects playing of the sound to the second user as one of thestereo sound and the mono sound.
 18. A method of claim 14 furthercomprising: displaying, with a display of the PED of the second user,the emoji with a visual indication that includes “3D” to show the seconduser that the first user selected the sound to play to the second useras the binaural sound.
 19. A method of claim 14 further comprising:displaying, with the display of the PED of the first user, at leastthree options to enable the first user to select where the sound willlocalize to the second user, wherein the three options include alocation with respect to the head of the second user having azimuthcoordinates (0°<θ45°), a location with respect to the head of the seconduser having azimuth coordinates (0°>θ≥−45°), a location inside the headof the second user.
 20. A method of claim 14 further comprising:displaying, with a display of the PED of the second user, a visualnotification informing the second user that the first user selectedplaying of the sound to the second user as the binaural sound thatexternally localizes outside the head of the second user.